Post by Bonobo on Jan 6, 2017 20:25:26 GMT 1

29.12.2016 16:15Poland’s culture ministry has signed a deal to buy the Princes Czartoryski Foundation’s art collection, which includes Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine".Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik.Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik.

While the price has been kept under wraps, media reports suggest the collection is worth PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.2 billion), but was allegedly sold to the culture ministry for under PLN 500 million (EUR 113 million).

Media reports have said the deal was signed with a new board of the foundation, assembled after the former board resigned earlier in the week amid concerns.

Local media recently claimed the culture ministry would pay founder Adam Karol Czartoryski directly, rather than through the foundation.

As well as the da Vinci painting, the culture ministry bought some 86,000 pieces, 250,000 books, manuscripts and prints, as well as the buildings which hold the collection.

"Lady with an Ermine", the pride and joy of the Czartoryski Collection, is one of Leonardo da Vinci’s twenty extant works and one of his four female portraits.

It depicts Cecilia Gallerani, a young lady who entered the Milanese court around 1490 and became a mistress of the Duke Ludovico Sforza and the mother of his son.

It was the Duke who commissioned Leonardo to paint the portrait.

Meanwhile, the culture ministry on Thursday purchased the former Cracovia hotel in Kraków for PLN 29 million (EUR 6.5 million).

The building is to be the new branch of the National Museum in Kraków.

Post by jeanne on Jan 6, 2017 21:54:12 GMT 1

29.12.2016 16:15Poland’s culture ministry has signed a deal to buy the Princes Czartoryski Foundation’s art collection, which includes Leonardo da Vinci’s "Lady with an Ermine".Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik.Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Photo: PAP/Stanisław Rozpędzik.

While the price has been kept under wraps, media reports suggest the collection is worth PLN 10 billion (EUR 2.2 billion), but was allegedly sold to the culture ministry for under PLN 500 million (EUR 113 million).

Regardless of the implications of the price tag on this art deal, it makes me feel proud that the home of my ancestors has such an appreciation and love of art and culture, both of which add richness to the lives of its people.

Post by Bonobo on Jan 6, 2017 22:08:16 GMT 1

Regardless of the implications of the price tag on this art deal, it makes me feel proud that the home of my ancestors has such an appreciation and love of art and culture, both of which add richness to the lives of its people.

Yet, many experts consider the act of purchase unnecassary as due to Polish law it was impossible to sell the collection and transfer it abroad, for example. The state has taken care of it for decades, too, funding the conservation and maintenance of museum facilities.

So, buying it out hasn`t changed much, in fact.

Yes, one thing has changed. Now, the state will decide whether to allow trips of the painting to foreign exhibitions. Before, the private owner decided about it and there were tensions because he grabbed at any chance to make profit while state curators objected.

Post by jeanne on Jan 6, 2017 22:36:49 GMT 1

Regardless of the implications of the price tag on this art deal, it makes me feel proud that the home of my ancestors has such an appreciation and love of art and culture, both of which add richness to the lives of its people.

Yet, many experts consider the act of purchase unnecassary as due to Polish law it was impossible to sell the collection and transfer it abroad, for example. The state has taken care of it for decades, too, funding the conservation and maintenance of museum facilities.

So, buying it out hasn`t changed much, in fact.

Yes, one thing has changed. Now, the state will decide whether to allow trips of the painting to foreign exhibitions. Before, the private owner decided about it and there were tensions because he grabbed at any chance to make profit while state curators objected.

Ok, so now my pride in Poland for its love of art and culture has been deflated by learning that it is all about the money after all...

Post by Bonobo on Jan 8, 2017 13:59:24 GMT 1

Ok, so now my pride in Poland for its love of art and culture has been deflated by learning that it is all about the money after all...

Well, the state has taken care of the collection for decades, anyway. The formal owner, the descendant of Polish aristocracy, couldn`t sell it abroad so he decided to sell it the state to have funds for aristocratic life style.

Critics point out, however, that it`s a waste of money on sth that practically belongs to the public. The money could be spent in a better way, e.g. on social programmes, let alone buying out Polish art from foreign collections and museums.

Post by jeanne on Jan 9, 2017 0:00:06 GMT 1

Ok, so now my pride in Poland for its love of art and culture has been deflated by learning that it is all about the money after all...

Well, the state has taken care of the collection for decades, anyway. The formal owner, the descendant of Polish aristocracy, couldn`t sell it abroad so he decided to sell it the state to have funds for aristocratic life style.

Critics point out, however, that it`s a waste of money on sth that practically belongs to the public. The money could be spent in a better way, e.g. on social programmes, let alone buying out Polish art from foreign collections and museums.

Yeah, the guy could have donated it free of charge out of love for his country!